WASHINGTON 鈥� The U.S. Capitol Police Department’s intelligence office has warned its officers that violence is a possibility this weekend as a rally commemorates the 20th聽anniversary of the Million Man March, and the department’s union president is unhappy about it.
This weekend鈥檚 rally is organized by the Nation of Islam, led by Louis Farrakhan, and the intelligence office of the Capitol Police said last month聽in an email newsletter that Farrakhan 鈥渉as been accused of inciting violence against both Caucasians and police officers.鈥�
Capitol Police Chief Kim Dine tells that the newsletter was 鈥渞escinded as it was not authorized, reviewed, or approved by the Chief of Police, adding that the department 鈥減rides itself on protecting the rights of people to peaceably assemble under the First Amendment.鈥�
But James Konczos, president of the Capitol Police officers鈥� union, has called for Dine鈥檚 resignation, saying in an email that聽many officers took exception to the 鈥渞ace-baiting鈥� tone of the newsletter.
The newsletter, from the department鈥檚 Protective Services Bureau of the Division of Intelligence and Information Analysis, acknowledges that the original Million Man March and its follow-up event, 2000鈥檚 Million Family March, were peaceful.
Indeed, fears of violence this weekend so far center around anti-Muslim protesters who are scheduled to demonstrate at 20 mosques and centers nationwide, including one organizer who has called on supporters to bring guns to these demonstrations, The Post reports.
Yet the newsletter from the Capitol Police intelligence office says of Farrakhan: 鈥淚ncendiary, antagonistic, confrontational, race-baiter, are but a few of the adjectives used to describe [him],鈥� adding, 鈥渓ong considered somewhat of an opportunist, [Farrakhan] is no novice when it comes to fanning the flames of fire.鈥�
鈥淚t is comments like these that contribute to the anti-police movement that has led to officers being murdered,鈥� Konczos wrote to聽the Police Board, a collection of Capitol officials who oversee the department.
鈥淥ur officers are well aware of the current problems facing law enforcement, so there was no need for this newsletter to be written, let alone released,鈥� Konczos wrote.
The rally, called , is expected to center on police brutality, justice for Native Americans, women and Latinos, and is set for 10 a.m. Saturday.
